Enterotoxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for causing

Enterotoxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for causing

• A. Impetigo
• B. Enterocolitis
• C. Scalded skin syndrome
• D. Carbuncles

Answer: (B)

Enterotoxins from Staphylococcus aureus cause a toxin-mediated gastroenteritis, commonly called staphylococcal food poisoning. These toxins are preformed in contaminated food and are heat-stable, so ingestion leads to rapid onset vomiting and diarrhea as the toxin acts in the gut. This illness is described as enterocolitis because it involves inflammation of the gut lining due to the toxin, not invasion by the bacteria. This differs from other options: impetigo is a superficial skin infection; scalded skin syndrome results from an exfoliative toxin that damages skin, not the gut; and carbuncles are deeper skin infections. Hence, the enterotoxin’s effect is best linked to enterocolitis.

Enterotoxins from Staphylococcus aureus cause a toxin-mediated gastroenteritis, commonly called staphylococcal food poisoning. These toxins are preformed in contaminated food and are heat-stable, so ingestion leads to rapid onset vomiting and diarrhea as the toxin acts in the gut. This illness is described as enterocolitis because it involves inflammation of the gut lining due to the toxin, not invasion by the bacteria.

This differs from other options: impetigo is a superficial skin infection; scalded skin syndrome results from an exfoliative toxin that damages skin, not the gut; and carbuncles are deeper skin infections. Hence, the enterotoxin’s effect is best linked to enterocolitis.